High-class maid

Chapter 138 Visiting the New Neighbors

"After deducting the principal of two taels of silver, there is still a profit of five taels of silver left, which is quite a lot of money," Shen Xing'er said.

You know, some men carry goods at the docks every day and only earn a few dozen to a hundred coins a day. It's really impressive that these two young girls can earn so much money.

"I'll work hard, and I hope I can earn this much money again next month," Shan Tao said with great enthusiasm.

“You’ve got it backwards again. I only draw four patterns a month. You can’t embroider more if you want, because you have to protect your eyes,” Shen Xing’er said, tapping Shan Tao’s forehead.

"Okay, okay, I know. Xing'er, I can't go shopping with you today." Shan Tao seemed to suddenly remember something, and looked very disappointed.

"What's wrong? Didn't we agree to go to the clothing store to look at clothes? Did something happen at home?" Shen Xing'er asked, seeing Shan Tao's dejected look.

"My mother and father had another fight yesterday, and she wasn't very happy when I left today. I want to go back and spend more time with her," Shan Tao said, pouting.

"Then you should go back and keep your aunt company, and try to comfort her."

Shen Xing'er wisely refrained from asking why her parents were arguing, just as Shan Tao didn't ask her where Zhang Yuzhu had gone. Although the two were good friends, they also had a sense of propriety.

"I'll accompany you again next time I leave the manor. I'll be going now!" After giving Shen Xing'er half of the silver, Shan Tao waved her hand shyly and turned to leave.

"Let's go, it's alright. We see each other all day long in the manor, and we'll see each other again the day after tomorrow," Shen Xing'er comforted her.

So the two sisters parted ways at the intersection.

After Shen Xing'er returned home, Wang was putting something into the basket.

"Mother, what are you pretending to be? Where did you buy these vegetables?" Shen Xing'er asked.

"Oh, these are vegetables that Aunt Liu, who sells vegetables at the alley entrance, asked Mom to save for us. We should have visited our neighbors yesterday, but we were too busy at home. Today we finally have some free time, so Mom is going to visit them. Why don't you come with me?"

As she spoke, Madam Wang instructed Shen Xing'er to bring out the pastries from inside the house.

"Mother, this is the money that Shan Tao and I earned from selling embroidery today. Please take it." Shen Xing'er took off her purse and handed it to Wang Shi.

"Keep it for yourself. You're all grown up now. Learn to manage your money so you won't be lectured by your mother-in-law when you go to your husband's family," Wang said with a smile.

"Mother, what are you saying? I've never thought about getting married." Shen Xing'er blushed at her words, picked up the pastries on the table, and walked out of the house.

"Hey, hey, hey, you've gone the wrong way!" Wang's amused voice came from behind, and Shen Xing'er felt extremely embarrassed.

"Is anyone home?" Wang knocked on the door and called out softly.

"Coming, coming, who is it?" A woman's voice came from inside the courtyard, and then the door was opened.

What came into Shen Xing'er's view was a neatly dressed woman, about five or six years younger than Wang Shi. Her hair was combed meticulously, and although her dress was faded from washing, it had no patches on it.

The woman was stunned when she saw the mother and daughter, thinking they had gone to the wrong place.

"Who are you looking for?" the woman asked.

“Young lady, I am Madam Shen from next door. Thank you so much for taking care of our horses these past few days. I was too busy at home yesterday, but I had some free time today, so I rushed over to visit you,” Madam Wang said with a smile.

The woman quickly made way and said, "Oh, it's Sister-in-law Shen! Please come in, please come in. You've come all this way, why are you carrying so many things?"

As he spoke, he led the mother and daughter into the hall.

"Please drink some hot water to warm yourself up. We're not very particular about our food at home, and we don't have any tea leaves. I'm not used to drinking tea either, so please don't mind," the woman said with a smile as she poured the hot water.

“I also don’t like drinking tea; I always find it a bit astringent. I didn’t expect you to feel the same way,” Wang said.

"Really? You've finally found someone like me. You don't know, my husband used to think I was too uncouth." The woman pouted and said softly.

"I think you're a very straightforward young lady, and you don't beat around the bush. May I ask how I should address you?" Wang asked.

“My husband’s surname is Yuan, but everyone calls me Dali’s wife,” said Yuan Dali’s wife.

"I'll still call you 'little sister,' it sounds more intimate that way," Wang said.

The two women, who were five or six years apart in age, smiled at each other and had endless topics to talk about. For a moment, they felt as if they had known each other for a long time.

"So, you're going to the manor the day after tomorrow?" Dali's wife asked, cracking melon seeds.

"Yes, we'll be back home this time, and then we won't be back until after the New Year. We've come here again to ask you for a favor," Wang said shyly.

"Sister-in-law, you mean the horse? Don't worry, once my husband Dali gets off work, he'll take care of it for you." Dali's wife waved her hand dismissively.

“I can’t let your family feed the horses for nothing. How about this, I’ll give you one hundred coins a month?” Wang asked cautiously.

"What? One hundred coins? What do you take me for?" Dali stopped eating his melon seeds and asked with wide eyes.

"Sister, don't be angry. I didn't mean to treat you like a servant. It's getting colder and colder, and Dali works hard feeding the horses. I can't let him run errands for nothing!"

Seeing her wide eyes, Wang assumed she was angry with her and quickly explained. She didn't want to lose her new friend over a horse.

"Oh, sister-in-law, that's not what I meant. What I meant was, what's wrong with neighbors helping each other out? How could I possibly take your money?"

Ms. Wang breathed a sigh of relief, as long as the other party hadn't misunderstood her meaning.

"That won't do either. Keep these gifts and discuss them with your husband when he gets back from work. Let me know whether it's acceptable or not." After saying that, Madam Wang pulled Shen Xing'er away.

"Sister-in-law, Xing'er, don't go! Have dinner at my house before you go back." Dali's wife carried the thank-you gifts brought by Wang Shi and followed her out.

"No, no, my husband will be back soon, and I need to go home and cook!" Wang was taken aback by her enthusiasm and quickly pushed Xing'er forward.

"Sister-in-law, take these gifts back. Oh dear, why are there still vegetables? Vegetables are so precious these days, take them away quickly!" Dali's wife said.

"Auntie, what's behind you?" Shen Xing'er suddenly shouted, pointing behind Dali's house.

"Huh?" Dali's family turned around to look for it.

While she turned around, Shen Xing'er quickly closed the gate to her house and ran away with her mother.

"That was close! There's no reason to ask for a thank-you gift once it's given. This girl is too honest." After returning home, Wang patted her chest and exclaimed.